June 24 …

Danielle Spencer was an actress best known for playing Dee Thomas on the ABC sitcom What’s Happening!! and its syndicated sequel What’s Happening Now!!, later building a second career as a veterinarian.

Born on June 24, 1965 in Trenton, NJ and raised in the Bronx, Spencer’s journey in acting began in her childhood when, at the age of 11, she was cast on What’s Happening!! as the witty younger sister Dee. She performed on stage in New York with a repertory company co-founded by her stepfather, Tim Pelt, who served as an early mentor in her artistic career.

In September 1977, Spencer endured a life-altering car accident that claimed Pelt’s life and left her in a coma for weeks. This traumatic event not only shaped her life, but also led to long-term health issues, including spinal complications that necessitated multiple surgeries decades later.

After stepping away from regular acting roles, Spencer pursued a focused education, attending the University of California with coursework at UCLA and UC Davis. She earned a bachelor’s degree in the sciences and completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Tuskegee University in 1993, later becoming a licensed veterinarian in the mid-1990s.

Spencer practiced veterinary medicine in California and Virginia and occasionally shared her expertise in media segments focused on pet care. She also penned a memoir titled Through the Fire: Journal of a Child Star, which details her experiences as a young Black performer and her journey of recovery from trauma.

On television, Spencer’s portrayal of Dee Thomas — known for her deadpan delivery and memorable catchphrases like “Ooooh, I’m gonna tell Mama!” — made her a recognizable figure in a 1970s sitcom that focused on Black teenagers and expanded on-screen representations of Black family and youth life.

Spencer collaborated with contemporaries such as Ernest Thomas, Haywood Nelson, and Fred Rerun Berry, maintaining connections with her co-stars through reunions and public tributes. Her later identity as “Dr. Dee” and her advocacy for animal welfare established her as a role model for child actors transitioning to new careers and for Black women pursuing STEM and veterinary paths.

Spencer’s awards and recognition, though modest, were meaningful. The cast of What’s Happening!! received accolades at the TV Land Awards in 2006, where she won a lighthearted character award. She was honored in obituaries and tributes highlighting her contributions to both entertainment and veterinary services, earning praise from peers like Haywood Nelson for her resilience and dedication.

Ultimately, the most enduring legacy of Danielle Spencer is the cultural impact of Dee Thomas — an early, strong-voiced Black girl on mainstream television — who played a pivotal role in evolving portrayals of Black youth and paved the way for future performers.